Feeding my puppy

Question
We rescued a family of what seem to be a chow chow and
sharpei mix..a friend estimated that they were around 3
months old.  I have been feeding them about three or four
ounces of canned puppy food three times a day and have
noticed that they are extremely anxious and hungry when I
feed them, and now 1 month later they look somewhat thinner.  
Do I need to feed them more often or bigger portions?

Answer
Hi Yesi,

You didn't say what food you're feeding your puppy. A puppy should receive a "puppy food" for it's first full year, because of the extra nutritional needs a growing puppy has. Dry food is often preferred over canned food because it contains less water, and it helps to clean a dog's teeth (though it's no substitute for brushing!)

Whatever food you're using will have feeding guidelines on the package. The amount you will feed differs from brand to brand because there are nutritional differences between brands. That's why I can't tell you how much to feed your puppy. You will need to increase the amount of food your puppy receives, as he gets bigger.

You're either not feeding your puppy enough, feeding him an adult formula when he needs a puppy formula, or it's possible your puppy has "worms". If your puppy has not had a vet exam to rule out internal parasites, that is something you should have done. Many puppies get these parasites from their mother, before they're even born.

If you plan on changing the food your puppy receives, you need to do so gradually, over a period of 5-7 days. Changing a dog or puppy's food too quickly can cause an upset stomach or case of diarrhea. If you plan on changing your puppy's diet, this helpful "dog food comparison wizard" helps you compare brands of food by the ingredients they contain:  http://www.naturapet.com/tools/comparison.asp

Best of luck,

Patti